Today I am going to see the movie It’s a Wonderful Life with my mother. It is her favorite movie and a holiday classic. In it, a man during the depression faces many set backs and challenges. Fearing he may not even be able to provide for his family he contemplates taking his own life so his family could at least collect the life insurance policy. While deciding weather to jump off a bridge and end it all, an angel appears and decides to show him what the world would be like if he had never been born. He realizes all of the lives he has touched and the differences he has made. Eventually, it occurs to him that despite all of the challenges his life was…well…wonderful.

During the holiday season, we can face so much stress, and sometimes sadness, that it may become overwhelming. We may not reach the depths of feeling the character in the movie did, but we can suffer some seasonal, or even daily depression. We may not have the benefit of a heavenly being showing us what a difference we make, but we all do make a difference. There are so many lives we touch on a daily basis that we will never know. Some may be too shy to voice their appreciation. Many never even think of doing so. After all, if it is not something you grew up doing, the chances you will do it are quite slim. All this to say that so many lives are touched simply by having us in them and we may never know.

Many of you might be thinking, “I really don’t make a difference. Trust me, you do. There is an answer to this feeling. Go out and make a difference. This doesn’t have to be something grand. It can simply be offering a smile and a genuine compliment to every person you encounter today. During the holiday season, I am sure all of my friends working in retail will tell you what a tremendous difference this makes. Another way that you can make a positive impact in someone’s life was mentioned in the paragraph above. Did you catch it? Letting someone know that they make a positive impact in your life is a gift worth its weight in gold. Nothing touches the heart like knowing you touch someone else’s heart.

There is today’s message. Your life is wonderful and you have a chance to make other’s lives wonderful as well. Take care of each other.